Popular section of Blue Ridge Parkway closed from Ox Creek to Mt. Mitchell

The Blue Ridge Parkway is now closed from Milepost 375, a few miles north of Asheville, to Milepost 355 at N.C. 128/Mount Mitchell State Park, according to the National Park Service.

This closed section of the scenic roadway includes the popular Craggy Gardens area (pictured above). Summer is one of the busiest seasons at the national park, which attracts millions of visitors to the area every year.

Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times“Girls Gone Outdoors” blog with more information from Steve Stinnett, parkway chief ranger:

“At Milepost 374, one mile north of Ox Creek Road, there’s an apparent slope failure below the roadway,” said Steve Stinnett, parkway chief ranger. “There is a 2- to 4-inch-wide, 100-foot-long crack in the road, so we’re concerned about the road failing there. We’ll have to have it assessed by an engineer before we can reopen.” …

“It’s most likely due to the heavy rains, like everywhere else in Buncombe County, the soils are saturated and prone to things like this.”